Fountain brush with soap chamber



y 1950 L. ANDERSON 1 -:-r AL 2,513,776

FOUNTAIN BRUSH WITH SOAP CHAMBER Filed March 1, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet l LLOYD L. Auuzasou Rose-Rt F HEFFERAN FRED ELusoN 219M... womezm ATTORNEYS y 1950 L. ANDERSON ET AL 2,513,776

FOUNTAIN BRUSH WITH SOAP CHAMBER Filed March 1, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 LLOYD L. Auoeason i l \NVEgTOQs i ROBERT F. HEFFERAN Patented July 4, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Ellison, Grand Rapids, Mich.,

assignors to Paneva Corporation, Grand Rapids, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application March 1,-1'948, Serial No.12,344

7 Claims.

This invention relates to ahand-operated dishwasher and rinser. It is a primary object and purpose of the present invention to providea simple, novel, practical, very useful and economical dishwasher which is manually operated and with which, by very simple mechanism, the flow of water over or in contact with soap or other cleaning agent, may be directed, when wanted, to a cleaning brush with which the surfaces of dishes are cleaned and thereafter, without changing the position of the hand, clear water directed to the washed dish, by moving it to proper position, for rinsing it. The dishwasher is adapted to be detachably connectedto the hot water faucet at a kitchen sink, being readily attached or detached theretosubstantially instantly. The water which is used both for'washing and rinsing flows from said faucet through a suitable length flexible conduit, being interrupted in its flow to the cleaning brush when rinsing is taking place, and similarly stopped from rinsing flow when washing occurs.

Many novel details of construction and arrangement of parts are utilized in accomplishing the invention and will appear and'be understood, and their functions and purposes outlined, in the following description of the invention, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the dishwasher as it is used,

Fig. 2 is an enlarged central longitudinal vertical section through the dishwasher construction,

Fig. 3 is an under plan view thereof, Figs. 4 and 5 are transverse vertical sections,

' substantially On the planes of lines 4-4'andz55,

respectively, of Fig. 2, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows,

Fig. 6 is a side elevation, with parts broken away and shown in section intermediate its ends of the nozzle part of the structure, around: and upon which the brush is detachably located,

Fig. 7 is a partial central horizontal section and partial plan of the nozzle, and

Figs. 8, 9 and are transverse sections through the nozzle on the planes of lines 8-8, 99iand I'ill 0, respectively, of Fig. 6, looking inthe direction indicated.

Like reference characters refer to like parts in the different figures of the drawings.

In the construction illustrated, a somewhat elongated generally tubular container or receptacle is provided having walls I. At one end the container is enlarged outwardly and is given a circular form in cross section, and has exterior threads, as indicated at 2. At the other vision portion [6.

end an end closure 3 integral with the walls I is provided, integral with which is a valve housing and guide having a horizontal top 4 and vertical sides 5-. The housing is open at its lower end, the side- 5 at the outer side of the chamberbeing continued in the same plane with the end 3and extending downwardly below the lower side of the tubular body. The inner vertical wall 5 has an integral connection with the under side wall I, while the sidesbetween-the inner and outer sides, as shown in Fig. 5, may merge with and be a continuation of the chamber vertical side walls I of the body. A chamber 6 is enclosed, the enclosure being completed by a transverse plate-or disk I at the threaded end 2 through which a plurality of passages 8 are made.

The chamber 6 may contain soap or an equivalent suitable washing or cleaning material. The closure plate or disk 1 is releasably held in place by the enlarged interiorly threaded end- 9 of an outlet or nozzle member, the plate I at its inner side coming a ainst the adjacent end of the tubular body described, and being held thereagainst by an annular ledge ID on the outlet nozzle engaging against its outer side. The outlet nozzle is a continuation of and integral with the enlarged connecting end portion 9' previously described.

The nozzle or outlet I I, in-general axial alinement with the axis of the tubular body, has a continuous central passage I2 therethrough lengthwise thereof from'the disk I, for a portion of its length, the cross sectional area. of the passage I2 being reduced generally midway between the ends of the nozzle member, as at I3. A transverse passage I4 through the nozzle outlet member I I, shown as rectangular in cross sectional outline,-is in conjunction with the outer end of the reduced outlet I3. outwardly beyond the passage I4 are a plurality of spaced lugs I5 extending toward each other and having spaced recesses I5a therebetween and joined integrally with a diametrically disposed thin di- The nozzle at its outer end is of frustro-conical formand isof solid structure having no passage therethrough, as shown at H. The grooves between the lugs or projections I5 have their bottoms in substantially the same plane with the-upper and lower sides of the recess I4 (Fi .2).

The lugs I 5 are not of the same length. Those directly adjacent the passage M are separated at their adjacent ends a, greater distance than the others, the adjacent ends of the successive pairs of lugs or projections I5 outwardly being progressively brought closer to each other. Thus having been in contact with the soap or other.

cleansing agent in the chamberfi, therefore carrying such soap or cleansing materialin solution,

is connected with the housing walls at the open lower end of the housing, being securely connected in place in a sealing relation thereto. The upper portion grips and surrounds the upper end portion of the guide sleeve 26, seating in a groove therein. The connecting intermediate portion between the lower and upper portions of the membe 28 is of a flexible or accordion-like structure,

- so that the upper end of the sleeve may move upis intermixed with air and formsia sudsor foam which passes outwardly to the brush surrounding the stem or nozzle member H. v i v i The brush has an axial core in the form of a .15.

spiral winding or helix l8, to the coils of'which the brush bristles I 9 are secured and extend outwardly, the brush being generally of a cylindrical form rounded at its outer end. The outlet stem 01' nozzle H is inserted 'insaid helix. .2 The inner end coil of the helix engages witha ri'b' molded integral with and extending outwardli at one side of the nozzle stem H, of ashape substantially as shown in Fig. 6. On' turning .the brush about its longitudinal axis-the helical core l8 follows the rib 20 until the end coil comes against an annular ledge or rib' 2| around the outer side of the outlet stem'll' located trans versely of its axis. A continuation of turning the brush compresses the'end coils and a fric-' tional engagement'of an amply sufiicient degree to hold the brush against movementis obtained. When the brush becomes worn at any side, for

wardly and downwardly between the two positions shown in Figs. 2 and 5. A coiled spring 29,

substantially identical in strength and otherwise with the spring 25, bears at its upper end against thelower side of the disk valve 24 and at its :lower end against'the upper end of the member A lever 3b, preferably of sheet metal in a channel cross-section, located underneath the lower wall I of the first described body, at one end has a rocking connection with the enlarged end portion 2 of said body, being held against disengagement by a lip 3! as shown in Fig. 2. At its other end it is divided and has the two sides of the fork example in service, it may be turned back a part of a turn, and such frictional engagement of the end coil of the helix core is against the abutment provided by the ledge or rib 2Istill remain amply sufficient to insure against ccidental or other unwanted looseness of the brush on the outlet stem I! on which it is mounted.

The top 4 of the valve housing surrounded by the walls 5 has a vertical opening dd -th'rough which a vertical rod 22 extends. The diameter of the rod 22 is less than the diameter of the like valve 24 is permanently secured "to them. 22 below the topd. The two valves-23 and 24 are spaced apart a distance greater than the tlrickness of the top 4 plus the height of the flange 4a.

; lower edges of the flange 4a.

.disk valve 23' is permanently secured. A second 2":

A coiled Spring 25 of light'streng th rests at 'i't made passing at opposite sides of. the guide sleeve 26 and underneath an annular flange 32 extending outwardly from said sleeve immediately below the accordion sleeve 28.

An inlet boss 33 is integral with the end3 and valve housing sides 5 and has a passage therethrough. A suitable connection of a flexible hose or conduit 34, as shown in Fig. 2, is made for the passage of water intothe chamber between the top 4 of the housing and the rubber sleeve member 28.. The tube 34 may be of a suitable length and at its free end is provided with a coupling 35 which-is designed to be placed over and grip the outlet end of a water faucet 35. The specific structure of this vcoupling is not disclosed as it is not a partof the present invention. With it a ready and almost'instant connection or disconnection with the faucet 36 may be made.

The two equal strength springs 25 and 29, coupled with the weight of the parts and the tendency of the rubberlmember 28 to occupy the position shown in Fig. 2, locates the parts as shown in Fig. 2, with the valve 24 in middle position between the upper end of the sleeve 26' and the In such position the valve 23 is located against the upper side of the top 4 and closes off the annular passage around rod 22. Water coming through the conduit 34 will flow around the rod 22 downwardly through the annular space between it'and the sleeve 26,: and be directed downwardly and outwardly by "the inclined sides of the head 220i and leave the skirt 26a in divided streams following the grooves 21. On moving the lever 39 upwardly the sleeve 26 is JIQOVed upwardly against the springs 25 and 29'. The valves 23 and 24 and the rod 22, because of the equal strength of springs 25 and 29, move upwardly one-half of the distance that the sleeve 26 is moved; whereupon the upper end of the sleeve 26 comes to conical form, which at its inner surfaces is 1;:

grooved with a plurality of spaced "generallyyer tical grooves 27. The lower end ofthe'rod 22 has a head 22a of a complementary'frustro-conical form, the sides of which are spaced frorhthe inner sides of the gu'ideZtd at -all-parts-"thereof;

A vertically disposed rubber sleeve '28 has an enlarged diameter at its lower end-portion which and engages against the under side of the valve 24 at the time said valve 24, or a washer not numbered at its upper side as shown in Fig. 5, engages against the lower end of the annular flange 4a. Thevalve 23 is lifted (Fig. 5) and a passage of water around the rod 22 above the valve 24 takes place into the chamber 6. Such passage continues after the valve '24 has reached its uppermost position,-as in Fig; '5, as the notch at 4b provides 'a pa'ssaig'e for water at all times when the valve 23 is lifted above its lowermost position against the top 4 (Fig. 2).

In the use of the hand-operated and controlled dishwasher the body surrounding the chamber 6 is gripped by the hand with the fingers of the hand underneath the lever 30. The brush is brought to a dish which is to be washed and the lever 3!] moved upwardly, positioning the valves as in Fig. 5. There is a closing against flow of water downwardly through the sleeve 26. Water under pressure flows into'the-chamber 6, dissolves and carries in solution with it soap or other equivalent soluble washing or cleaning material, passes through the openings at 8, and is projected'with velocity through the small passage at l3. It strikes the progressively closer together opposed projections or lugs l5, and is broken up and mixed with air providing a suds which saturates the brush bristles and goes therefrom to the dish surface which is being cleaned. The brush is rubbed against such surface until the dish is cleaned.

After a dish has been thus cleaned or washed, it is brought underneath the skirt at 26a and the lever 30 released. The flow of water to and through the chamber 6 is cut off and thereafter so long as the lever 30 is in its down position (Fig. 2), clear water flows through the sleeve 26 around rod 22 and leaves the lower end of the skirt 26a in a divergent multiple of small streams caused by the grooves 21. The dish is thus rinsed of the water and soap which adheres to it, and may be put away for drying. The process is repeated in connection with a succeeding dish.

It is evident that the replacement of a brush when it has worn beyond usefulness, is easily done. The life of a brush is extended as all portions of it may be used before it has to be discarded. The removal by unscrewing from the threaded end 2, thereby releasing the plate 1, permits the replacement of soap or other cleaning material when needed. Preferably the walls of the generally tubular body I and of the outlet stem or nozzle II will be a transparent plastic, and the sleeve 26, preferably, will be of the same material. But the invention is not limited to any particular material and any material which is available for the purpose may be used.

The novel structure described is practical and useful, economical tomake, and is sturdy and durable in use.

The invention is defined in the appended claims and is to be considered comprehensive of all forms of structure coming within their scope.

We claim:

1. In a structure as described, a chambered body, a nozzle connected thereto at one end having a longitudinal passage therethrough and at its outer end portion having laterally positioned openings communicating with the passage, means for controlling the passage of a liquid through said chambered body and nozzle, a brush having a helical core of connected coils, and brush bristles connected to said coils extending outwardly therefrom located over the outer portion of the nozzle, said nozzle extending through said coils, said nozzle between its ends having an annular rib around it against which the inner end coil of the core of the brush is adapted to be brought and having a helical rib extending outwardly therefrom at a distance outwardly of the annular rib, with which said core has a screw engagement to force the innermost coil of the core against said annular rib.

2. In a structure of the class described, an elongated chambered body adapted to have a cleaning material located therein, said body being open at I one end, atransver-se disk across the open endnf: the body having a plu'ralityof' openings: therein, a nozzle having a longitudinal passage detachably connected with saidend of thechar'nb'ered body and e'ngaging sa'id disk to clamp it between the nozzle and the end of thebody, said; nozzle at its outer end portion having lateral outlet openings, a brush surrounding the outer end portion of the'nozzle, a valve housing located within the other end portion of said chambered body, said housing havinga top with an opening therethrough, said top being connected to said body and having depending sides, said valve housing being open at its lower end, a valve rod extending upwardly andpassi-ng at'its upper end portion through the top-of said-housing, said rod having a lesser cross sectonal area than the opening in the housing top, a fiat valve secured to the upper end portion of said rod above said top of said valve housing, a liquid conductor connected with the interior of said valve housing, whereby liquid will pass around the rod on lifting said rod to elevate said flat valve above the top of the housing, and means for closing the open lower end of said housing against passage of liquid downwardly therefrom upon moving said rod and valve in an upward direction.

3. A structure as defined in claim 2, and manually operable means adapted to be operated by a hand grasping said body for moving said rod and valve in an upward direction, and spring means for moving said rod and valve downwardly to closed position on release of the manually operable means.

4. A construction as defined in claim 2, said means closing the lower end of said valve housing comprising, a longitudinally extensible sleeve of resilient material, the lower end of which has a sealed connection with the lower end portions of the vertical walls of the housing, a vertica1 sleeve through which the rod passes having an axial opening of greater cross sectional area than the like area of the rod, around which the upper end of said resilient sleeve is located and has a, tight connection therewith, a disk carried by said rod above the upper end of said last mentioned sleeve, equal strength springs one above and the other below said disk, the lower one bearing against the upper end of the resilient sleeve and the upper one against the lower side of the top of said valve housing, and manually operable means connected with said last mentioned sleeve for moving it in an upward direction.

5. A structure as defined in claim 4, said last mentioned sleeve having a skirt outwardly and downwardly inclined at the lower end portion thereof and said rod at its lower end portion having downwardly and outwardly inclined surfaces generally complementary with the inner surfaces of said skirt, said outwardly inclined surfaces of the lower end portion of the rod engaging against the inner surfaces of the skirt when said last mentioned sleeve is in its lowermost position, there being grooves on the interior of said skirt spaced apart from each other for providing escape for liquid when said lower end portions of the rod and sleeve are thus in engagement.

6. In a structure as described, a body having a chamber therein, means for conducting liquid into said chamber, valve means to control passage of liquid into said chamber, a nozzle having a longitudinal passage communicating with said chamber, a diametrically disposed passage near the terminal end of the nozzle communicating with said longitudinal passage, a longitudinal partition in 7 said diametrical passage, a pluralityof pairs of lugs spaced longitudinally within the diametrical passage on opposite sides of said partition, each pair of lugs being spaced by a slot, said diametrical passage with the spaced lugs and slots forming 5 REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,343,490 Albertson June 15, 1920 1,682,470 Bassett Aug. 28, 1928 2,267,584 Cave Dec. 23, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 215,664 Great Britain May 15, 1924-. 441,154 Great Britain Oct. 28, 1935 

